Donald L. Sanders

Donald L. Sanders, 82, of Pekin died at 10:50 pm Saturday, August 21, 2010 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Don was born on March 2, 1928 in Leroy, Illinois to Eddie L. and Helen (Hazlett) Sanders. He married Arlene Eitenmiller. He then married Eleanor Baker Wubben on December 1, 1963. She died on February 8, 1982. He then married Brenda Westerfield Potts on August 27, 1983 in Pekin, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Eleanor and one brother, Robert. Surviving are: his wife, Brenda of Pekin; eight children, Michael L. Sanders of Bradenton, FL, Mark A. (Margaret) Sanders of Pekin, David E. (Shawn) Wubben of Havana, IL, Denise Adams of Pekin, Sandra L. (Christopher) Hern of Washington, IL, Bradley (Dora) Potts of Pekin, Lisa (James) Hartman of Glasford, IL and Ellen (Wayne) Strom of Minneapolis, MN; twenty-two grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren; three brothers, Bill (MaryAnn) Sanders of Evanston, IL, Wayne (Dorothy) Sanders of Waukesha, WI, Dean (Sue) Sanders of Ames, IA; two sisters, Ann Emmons of Pekin and Donna (James) Butner of Surprise, AZ. Don was a WWII veteran of the United States Army. He started working in the print shop at the Pekin Daily Times in 1947. He was promoted to production manager under the ownership of F.F. McNaughton and served as interim managing editor for a short time. He retired in 1990 after 43 years. Don was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pekin and the Crusaders Sunday School Class. He was chairman of the parking lot for several years and instrumental in the upgrade and its upkeep. Throughout Don's life he was a caring son to his parents Eddie and Helen, assisting his siblings in keeping them home in their later years. He was a loving husband who nursed two wives as they battled cancer. Don was an awesome grandfather adored by his grandchildren. They were the joy of his life. Don enjoyed vacationing with his family in the Ozarks and traveling the world and all 50 states with his wives. He was also very passionate about his yard.